Reg. #37760, Cst. Brian Mervin Powell (M.B.) - Medal of Bravery

Cst.Brian Mervin Powell  - Medal of Bravery. CO's Commendation  and Police Officer of the Year.

This photo is owned by Mr. Graham Powell (father of Cst. Powell) who gave permission to Supt. Brian Brennan, OIC Federal Policing in 'H' Div. (Nova Scotia) to send it to me. It also appeared in The Quarterly, V51(2) 1986.

In the photo, Cst. Brian Powell (left) is receiving the Commanding Officer`s Commendation at the hand of CO `H` Div., C/Supt. D. Henry.

Briefly, Cst. Powell was on patrol at night in October, 1984 when he noticed fire and smoke coming from a home. Cst. Powell entered the home by breaking a window and successfully opening the door. The interior of the house was in flames, but Cst. Powell searched each room. In the final room, he found a man unconscious on the floor.

The man could not relieved so Cst. Powell began to carry the man out of doors. However, finding his pathway engulfed in flames, Cst. Powell retreated. He then smashed another window with his feet. Cst. Powell was able to get the unconscious man out of the house and the two of them fell head first about ten feet. The man was taken to the hospital and Cst. Powell was slightly injured.

At a later date, the Medal of Bravery was presented to Cst. Powell by Governor General Jeanne Sauve. He was also named 'Police Officer of the Year'.

Cst. Powell is the son of Graham and Joan Powell.  He died in Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 28, 1993 at the age of 32 years. Brian Powell was married to Shirley Young-MacDonald and their infant daughter had predeceased him.

Their daughter, Lindsey Michelle was buried with her father, Cst. Brian Mervin Powell, RCMP. M.B.

'Maintain Our Memories'

by, Supt. Brian Brennan, Halifax, NS and
Buffalo Joe Healy, Ottawa, ON